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Bill116th CongressFiled Oct 22, 2019Science, Technology, Communications
H.R. 4782

National Commission on Online Platforms and Homeland Security Act

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Under committee review

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What it doesSummary reported to house, part i (Dec 21, 2020)

National Commission on Online Platforms and Homeland Security Act

This bill establishes the National Commission on Online Platforms and Homeland Security to address content on online and social media platforms that implicates national security concerns.

Specifically, the commission shall identify, examine, and report on the ways online platforms have been used in furtherance or support of targeted violence or covert foreign state influence campaigns and how addressing such uses impacts users' free speech, privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties. Consistent with these purposes, the commission must analyze (1) online platforms' responses to such usage; (2) the impacts of algorithms and automated decision-making systems; and (3) the extent to which online platforms have transparent, consistent, and equitable policies and procedures to address violations of platform rules.

The commission must then develop recommendations for how online platforms could address improper use through methods that are transparent and accountable while continuing to promote free speech and innovation on the internet and preserving individual privacy and civil rights.

Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security must (1) research whether any connection exists between the use of online platforms and targeted violence; and (2) develop voluntary approaches that could be adopted by online platforms to address any correlations found while still preserving the individual privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties of users.

What just happenedDec 21, 2020

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 566.

Who’s behind it

Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2](D-MS)Sponsor
18 cosponsors17 D1 R
Read on Congress.gov
18cosponsors2committees12actions11subjects
  1. Dec 21, 2020CalendarsH12410

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 566.

  2. Dec 21, 2020DischargeH12300

    Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  3. Dec 21, 2020Committee5500

    Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  4. Dec 21, 2020CommitteeH12200

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 116-683, Part I.

    Homeland Security Committee
  5. Dec 21, 2020Committee5000

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Homeland Security. H. Rept. 116-683, Part I.

    Homeland Security Committee
  6. Oct 23, 2019Committee

    Referred to the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology.

    Communications and Technology Subcommittee
  7. Oct 23, 2019Committee

    Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.

    Homeland Security Committee
  8. Oct 23, 2019Committee

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.

    Homeland Security Committee
  9. Oct 22, 2019IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Energy and Commerce Committee
  10. Oct 22, 2019IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Homeland Security Committee
  11. Oct 22, 2019IntroReferralIntro-H

    Introduced in House

  12. Oct 22, 2019IntroReferral1000

    Introduced in House

Reported to House, Part IDec 21, 20208

National Commission on Online Platforms and Homeland Security Act

This bill establishes the National Commission on Online Platforms and Homeland Security to address content on online and social media platforms that implicates national security concerns.

Specifically, the commission shall identify, examine, and report on the ways online platforms have been used in furtherance or support of targeted violence or covert foreign state influence campaigns and how addressing such uses impacts users' free speech, privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties. Consistent with these purposes, the commission must analyze (1) online platforms' responses to such usage; (2) the impacts of algorithms and automated decision-making systems; and (3) the extent to which online platforms have transparent, consistent, and equitable policies and procedures to address violations of platform rules.

The commission must then develop recommendations for how online platforms could address improper use through methods that are transparent and accountable while continuing to promote free speech and innovation on the internet and preserving individual privacy and civil rights.

Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security must (1) research whether any connection exists between the use of online platforms and targeted violence; and (2) develop voluntary approaches that could be adopted by online platforms to address any correlations found while still preserving the individual privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties of users.

Introduced in HouseOct 22, 2019

National Commission on Online Platforms and Homeland Security Act

This bill establishes the National Commission on Online Platforms and Homeland Security to address content on online and social media platforms that implicates national security concerns.

Specifically, the commission shall identify, examine, and report on the ways online platforms have been used in furtherance or support of targeted violence or covert foreign state influence campaigns and how addressing such uses impacts users' free speech, privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties. Consistent with these purposes, the commission must analyze (1) online platforms' responses to such usage; (2) the impacts of algorithms and automated decision-making systems on the rights and privacy of users; and (3) the extent to which online platforms have transparent, consistent, and equitable policies and procedures to address violations of platform rules.

The commission must then develop recommendations for how online platforms could address improper use through methods that are transparent and accountable while continuing to promote free speech and innovation on the internet and preserving individual privacy and civil rights.

Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security must (1) research whether any connection exists between the use of online platforms and targeted violence; and (2) develop voluntary approaches that could be adopted by online platforms to address any correlations found while still preserving the individual privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties of users.

National Commission on Online Platforms and Homeland Security Act — Informed